Rocky Shore and Sea 1919

Edward Hopper made this painting of a "Rocky Shore and Sea" with oil on canvas. I love the bold, simple strokes. It’s like he's saying, "Here's the scene, take it or leave it," which I find really refreshing. Look at the way he builds up the rocks – chunky, almost like he's sculpting with paint. You can practically feel the weight of them, the rough texture. And that green creeping up the side? It's so alive against the cool blues and grays. The way he handles the light is also interesting. There's a kind of starkness, a directness that feels very Hopper. I am reminded of Milton Avery. There's this shared love of simplicity, of stripping things down to their essence. And maybe a bit of that American melancholy, too.